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Even Hanako the elephant came to try her hand at a hot spring cure! What is the appeal of the long-established "Miyauchi Onsen" in Shimamaki Village?
Shimamaki Village is located in the southwest of Hokkaido. There is a famous hot spring there, where an elephant once came to take a bath. The hot spring is called "Miyauchi Onsen." Let's unravel the history of the hot spring and find out how it came to be.
Miyauchi Onsen has a long history, and is said to have been discovered during the Ansei period of the Edo period (1850s). According to the village history of Shimamaki Village, it all started when someone happened to see a bear bathing in a hot spring. Miyauchi Onsen opened in 1945.
Hanako the elephant arrived in Miyauchi Onsen on the back of a truck on November 10, 1971. Hanako had originally been kept at Asahiyama Zoo, but due to rickets she had difficulty even walking, and after many twists and turns she ended up in Shimamaki Village.
A prefab was built just for Hanako, and she spent five years undergoing treatment at the hot springs. After that, her condition improved, and she left for the warmer climate of Honshu. You must be curious about Miyauchi Onsen, which can heal even the giant elephants, right?
The spring quality is sodium bicarbonate sulfate spring. It is colorless and transparent, with red deposits at the bottom of the bathtub. 100% of the water is sourced and poured into the bathtub through an outside pipe. The source temperature is originally about 48 degrees, but the temperature is regulated by the amount of water alone.
The view of the vast countryside from the open-air baths will give you an unparalleled sense of freedom. Of course, you can enjoy it on a day trip, but we also recommend staying overnight at Miyauchi Onsen.
The reason is that the rice served at Miyauchi Onsen is a little special. It's "Miyauchi Onsen Rice Yumepirika," which is grown in rice paddies using hot spring water! You'll definitely become addicted to its moderate stickiness and subtle sweetness.
Be sure to stay the night and enjoy the historic hot springs and delicious rice.
*If you would like to know more about the atmosphere of Miyauchi Onsen, please check out our YouTube channel "Hot Springs Tour of Hokkaido"!
<Miyauchi Onsen>
Address: 431 Tomari, Shimamaki Village, Shimamaki District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0136-75-6320
Official site: https://guunaionsen.jimdofree.com/
Hanako the elephant arrived in Miyauchi Onsen on the back of a truck on November 10, 1971. Hanako had originally been kept at Asahiyama Zoo, but due to rickets she had difficulty even walking, and after many twists and turns she ended up in Shimamaki Village.
A prefab was built just for Hanako, and she spent five years undergoing treatment at the hot springs. After that, her condition improved, and she left for the warmer climate of Honshu. You must be curious about Miyauchi Onsen, which can heal even the giant elephants, right?
The spring quality is sodium bicarbonate sulfate spring. It is colorless and transparent, with red deposits at the bottom of the bathtub. 100% of the water is sourced and poured into the bathtub through an outside pipe. The source temperature is originally about 48 degrees, but the temperature is regulated by the amount of water alone.
The view of the vast countryside from the open-air baths will give you an unparalleled sense of freedom. Of course, you can enjoy it on a day trip, but we also recommend staying overnight at Miyauchi Onsen.
The reason is that the rice served at Miyauchi Onsen is a little special. It's "Miyauchi Onsen Rice Yumepirika," which is grown in rice paddies using hot spring water! You'll definitely become addicted to its moderate stickiness and subtle sweetness.
Be sure to stay the night and enjoy the historic hot springs and delicious rice.
*If you would like to know more about the atmosphere of Miyauchi Onsen, please check out our YouTube channel "Hot Springs Tour of Hokkaido"!
<Miyauchi Onsen>
Address: 431 Tomari, Shimamaki Village, Shimamaki District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0136-75-6320
Official site: https://guunaionsen.jimdofree.com/
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Hokkaido Tourism Camera Writer
Team Buchineko
Team Buchi Neko has many connections to Hokkaido's tourist spots and facilities. There are many wonderful resources in Hokkaido that we take for granted when we live there. We will spread the word about the charms of this wonderful Hokkaido.
